Redemption Of The Sacred Land (Book 3) (2 page)

“Not very helpful, is it?” Gondrial stated, his speech beginning to slur.

“Actually, it makes some sense to me,” Dorenn spoke up. “I think it means that the words can be read by anyone who needs to read them. It is a book for bestowing magic on mankind. It makes sense that it’s only readable to those who need it the most, when they need to read it the most.”

“If that’s what it means, then we don’t need to go to Lux Amarou after all,” Lady Shey said. “Eventually, you will get out of it what you require.”

Dorenn clicked his pipe as he bit down on the stem, and spoke between clinched teeth. “No, we are still going. I want to know everything in that book, not just a few instructions.” He glanced at the full moon and twinkling stars, his voice becoming somber. “But first, I think it’s time to go home to Brookhaven. If it takes a war to oust Naneden from the highlord’s throne, some of us may not get another chance.”

Ianthill nodded. “You may be correct. From what I have seen and heard, Naneden had enough of an unholy army of Dramyds and Drasmyd Duil to take and hold Lux Enor, but at the moment, he doesn’t have the numbers to branch out from there. What small forces we had were most likely reduced to almost nothing. He knows if we can muster a force, or somehow get our army back, his main force needs to defend the city.”

“I agree,” said Morgoran. “I think you are dead on, Ianthill, except for one point. Toborne has been mysteriously absent while Naneden has ravaged Symboria. He has Sylvalora hidden somewhere, and he turned Melias into an even stronger version of Drasmyd Duil.” He looked to Dorenn. “What is it called again?”

“Brae Daun Duil,” Dorenn answered.

“Aye, Brae Daun Duil, that’s right. He is obviously somewhere where he can tinker with the old methods he and I pioneered. He has to be getting a fresh supply of dragon eggs and dragon spawn in an area big enough to work. I think he’ll also bring his countrymen from the East, both Abaddonia and Scarovia, to bear on Symboria before long, if he can convince the cowards to fight for him.”

Ianthill puffed on his pipe a moment. “He might even have ties with the dragons of Kragodor again.”

“I can answer that,” Dorenn said. ‘”He doesn’t have ties with Kragodor. I have spoken to King Dravenclaw and his lieutenants. They want nothing to do with Toborne. They did tell me of a rumor that Toborne has dragon farms somewhere on the Scarovian side of the Jagged Mountains. They wanted to send patrols out that way to investigate but they can’t get past King Amarantus’ dragon patrols out of Draegodor, and the king refuses to grant an audience with any of his exiled kin.”

“That old stubborn fool of a dragon,” Morgoran said of King Amarantus. “He never did know when to let up.”

“He holds terrible grudges too,” Ianthill added. “How did you manage to talk to the king of the dragons in exile?”

“It’s a long story, but a quick answer would be that I learned about how to approach him through one of the essences I absorbed.”

Morgoran let out a billow of smoke. “That still doesn’t sit right with me. Are you sure you are not having headaches or any other ill effects from the trials?”

Dorenn took a deep breath. “Not as such, no. However, I no longer feel them or their influence. It’s as if they have faded away and left behind only what I need. Like a cup of ocean water leaves salt behind when the water fades away. I can remember how to do certain things, but I am no longer driven by them.” He stared into Morgoran’s bright blue eyes for a moment until the old wielder became uncomfortable.

“What is it, lad? You are staring a hole right through me!”

“I was just wondering how far you would have gone if Kerad’s influence had held.”

Lady Shey crossed her arms in riposte. “Don’t let thoughts like that consume you. Morgoran is stronger than you might realize.”

Morgoran stopped his old apprentice with a hand gesture. “It’s a valid question, Shey. A question I can probably answer, so let me and we can be done with it.” He took a swig from his tankard. “I would not have stopped until I hunted you down and got you where I wanted you. I don’t know if Kerad’s influence would have subsided, but I am not a murderer. I am sure I would have come to my senses.”

“I’m glad you still have a sense of humor about it,” Dorenn said.

“I wasn’t kidding with you. The anger that was raging inside of me seemed to be very real, although I could not justify it. Every time you came near, it festered.”

Dorenn nodded. “Some of it was from the essence shards inside of me—old enemies and old animosity. One of the essences told me that I was the only person ever known to have survived receiving more than one essence and that you feared you were not strong enough to stop me. Any truth to that?”

“None,” Morgoran stated flatly.

A long silence blanketed over them before Ianthill again thought of a way to break it. “You know, there is a great library here at By’temog.” He pointed the stem of his pipe to a crumbling building a short walk from where they sat relaxing.

“
Was
a great library,” Morgoran corrected. “I’m sure the parchment and scrolls have long since turned to dust. It’s been centuries since anyone has been inside it.”

“Do either of you remember where it is?” Dorenn asked. “I would be interested in seeing what’s still there. Maybe some dusty books survived or some forgotten written treasure that hasn’t been seen for seasons!”

Ianthill again pointed his pipe stem toward the library building and continued to point at it with a stabbing motion.

“I get it, Ianthill, you are pointing at the library,” Dorenn stated.

“It would be interesting to explore. I, for one, am bored lounging around,” Lady Shey said.

“This may be our only chance to enjoy a respite for a long while, Shey,” Morgoran pointed out.

“And I can’t think of a better way to spend a respite than curled up with a fascinating book. I think we should go see what’s there,” Shey said.

“Count me out,” Gondrial slurred. “The last place I want to be is in a dusty, moldy library. I think I will go to bed.” He got up and stumbled away.

Dorenn tapped the spent tabac out of his pipe and into the palm of his hand. “You know, my lady, you seem excited to discover lost volumes of lore, and I
do
have the Tome of Enlightenment.”

Lady Shey took Dorenn by the arm. “Aye, and none of us can make any sense out of it yet.” She brightened. “In fact, this library may have books to help us with reading it.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high,” Morgoran cautioned. “While it is true no one has been able to get near this library since General Sythril began roaming the ruins, we must face the possibility that most of the fragile tomes will no longer be readable.”

“Such negativity! We won’t know until we go find out,” she replied.

“Why don’t we head there at first light? It is getting too late tonight, and I am sure we could better explore it in the daytime,” Ianthill suggested.

“Aye,” Dorenn agreed. “We can explore the library tomorrow and be on our way to Brookhaven on the day following.”

“It is settled, then,” Morgoran said.

Trendan returned to camp with a roll of parchment in his hand. “Dorenn, before you turn in, Sanmir and I would like a word.”

“All right,” Dorenn replied.

“In private, if you don’t mind.”

Dorenn said goodnight to the others and followed Trendan and Sanmir behind a ruined wall, out of earshot of the camp. “What is it?” he asked.

“I need you to open the Migarath Portal to Lux Enor for Sanmir and me,” Trendan said. “Tonight, if you will.”

“Oh, and what are you two planning?”

Trendan unrolled the parchment. Sanmir held up a white crystal that began to glow, cascading warm tones of light on the parchment to reveal a map of the castle of Lux Enor. “Sanmir and I have been talking, and I think we should go after Kimala. Sanmir confirmed a few issues for me. We can’t leave her to the mercies of that madman. She has sacrificed enough.” He pointed to the map. “We found this map in the ruined By’temog city archives, and we think we found a way in.”

“But Trendan, Lux Enor is at the heart of the enemy’s stronghold. It would be next to impossible for you to succeed with this plan. Besides, where does her loyalty lie anyway?”

Sanmir spoke up. “Not impossible. I spent some time in Lux Enor just after the War of the Oracle. I know it well. I bet I know it better than Naneden, anyway. With the use of this map, I think we can get in and get out. As far as her loyalty, she is on our side, I assure you. Kimala can open one of the portals back here or to the Vale of Morgoran.”

“Assuming she is well enough to do so,” Dorenn pointed out.

“I’m sure I could open it if I had to,” Sanmir countered. “I am not too bad with essence magic myself. It is not as clean as the magic of my people, but I have had to use it before.”

“Dorenn, please. I owe her.”

Dorenn stared at Trendan with consternation for a few moments. “There is no doubt about your honor, my friend,” Dorenn said as he patted Trendan on the shoulder. “I will allow this for you, but I want you to get in there, get Kimala, and get out. No other side missions are authorized.”

“It’s agreed, then,” Trendan said. They both shook hands, and Dorenn led them to the Migarath Portal.

Chapter 2: The Forgotten Library

After breakfast, Dorenn, Lady Shey, Ianthill, and Morgoran headed for the decaying library building. As indicated, Gondrial stayed in camp nursing a horrendous hangover, loath to go poking through a musty, dusty library.

Dorenn could tell the structure had once been a marvel of construction, a magnificent gem among a cluster of lesser gems. The once sharp features around the arches and doorways were now worn and rounded and a few of the supporting columns had crumbled and collapsed on the outer portico, but nothing else obstructed the rest of the entryway. The two coppery double doors, which were covered with green patina, appeared to be stuck shut with a slight buckling at the edges, as if some force had tried to break them down to gain entry and failed.

Dorenn ran his hand over the buckled seams. “Doesn’t look like we will get in this way,” he said.

Morgoran bit his lower lip. “Hmm, I think I can buckle the left door from the inside out.”

“Wielding? Is that wise here?” Dorenn asked.

“I don’t see why not.” Morgoran shrugged. “Who would care?” Morgoran concentrated and used his considerable skill to draw in just enough essence to power his spell. He released, and the left door buckled outward, crushing into a ball as easily as wadding up a piece of parchment.

“Wait, what’s that glow around the doorway?” Shey observed.

Ianthill stepped closer to the entrance. “It appears to be a magical seal.” He reached out his hand to better sense it without touching it and immediately recoiled afterward. “It’s a dragon ward. A dragon has sealed off this library.”

Dorenn faltered. “What? Why would a dragon care about a broken-down library in a ruined city guarded by a cursed ghost?”

“Think about what you just said, Dorenn,” Shey pointed out. “What better place to hide something valuable.”

“A dragon’s horde?” Dorenn asked.

“Don’t go getting all excited; it could be anything,” Morgoran said “A dragon’s horde is highly unlikely, as is most fanciful treasures and wishes.”

“How do we break a dragon’s seal?” Dorenn inquired.

“We don’t. It’s dragon magic,” Morgoran said. “That is, unless you want to try it, Shey.”

Shey glanced apprehensively at Dorenn. “Morgoran!”

“He will have to find out eventually,” Morgoran said.

“I would have liked to have had the privilege of telling him in my own time!”

“Don’t be upset at me. If this library is sealed off by a dragon, it is definitely important.”

“What are you talking about? You just said it was unlikely to be important.” Dorenn was confused. “I already know about your ability to use dragon magic, my lady. You left behind a strong essence shard in the Hall of Ancients.”

Morgoran put his hand near the ward. “Why do you keep calling them that?”

“Essence shards?” Dorenn asked.

“Aye,” Morgoran said.

“That’s what they are, a shard of essence. What else should I call them?”

“I don’t like it,” Morgoran grumbled. “They are just essences.”

“That’s too confusing. Since I took on many essences, it’s easier for me to keep track by calling them essence shards.”

“Well, it sounds ridiculous, but I suppose you can call them what you want since you are the only one who has ever absorbed so many at once.” He looked at Shey. “Are you going to use that dragon blood of yours or not?”

“Morgoran!” Shey said. “What has gotten into you this morning?”

Morgoran calmed himself. “I think I know what’s in there.”

“You are like a child!” Shey said. “Stand aside.” She moved in front of the dragon’s ward.

“I wondered about your dragon blood,” Dorenn said. “Is it true? How can you be both man and dragon?”

“Aye, it’s true. I have dragon blood in my family, and I learned how to use some limited dragon magic, mostly enchantment spells, though. I am not sure about breaking a ward.” She held both hands out in front of her. “As far as how I can be a woman with dragon blood, you don’t know the half of it. When we get a chance to sit and talk, I will fill you in on everything I know about it, before Morgoran blurts it all out,” she said.